Standing Proud

This weekend will see the climax of Manchester Pride, with 72 hours of non stop fun and frolics…

Published on August 23rd 2006.

Manchester Pride, which has been buzzing along quietly for a few days now, is set to explode in a frenzy of colour, music and unabashed campness this weekend.

The Big Weekend is what Pride is known for – 3 days and nights of parties, parades, and poofs. Starting on Friday 25th August and running through to midnight on Bank Holiday Monday, the village will be awash with colour and life, as Manchester’s LGBT community party the weekend away.

One of the highlights from The Big Weekend will include a main stage with live acts spread over the three days. From Bodyrockers to Marc Almond, from The Cheeky Girls to Jamelia, and Four Poofs and a Piano to Angie Brown. Click here for the full line up.

If it all gets a bit too much at the Main Stage, there will be a smaller stage at Sackville Park Village Gardens, which will feature all the best in comedy, cabaret and music.

For all the details on The Big Weekend, visit Manchester Pride’s official website by clicking here.

Of course, The Big Weekend wouldn’t be The Big Weekend without the Pride Parade, which will suffuse Manchester city centre with Carnival fever from 2pm on Saturday 26th August. The parade will begin at Liverpool Road and travel up Deansgate, before taking a right onto St Anne Street and then right again onto Cross Street, past Albert Square nad down Whitworth Street to the village. Make sure that you arrive early for the best view!

As always, the Big Weekend will close with a moving candlelight vigil in the gardens to remember those who have lost their lives or been affected by HIV.